Free Professional Certificates to Help You Propel Your Career

Verizon Wireless isn’t your ordinary telecommunications company. Beyond simply bridging the divide between people through its cell phone service, Verizon also wants to build bridges between individuals and their career goals. Working with Alliance for HOPE International since last November, Verizon is inviting survivors of domestic violence, advocates, support persons and anyone else wanting to further their education to join the Verizon Skill Forward program. 

Verizon and learning platform edX have teamed up to create a uniquely curated skill building program that offers over 100 professional certificate courses from institutions like Harvard and IBM. This program allows U.S. residents aged 17 and up to “future-proof” their job skills online at their own pace—for free. No prior experience or college degrees are necessary. With many of the certifications focusing on the tech field—AI, coding, cybersecurity and graphic design, for example—those who wish to advance their careers but who may not have it in the budget to go back to school can find this valuable resource right on their computers or mobile devices. 

From Shelter to Entreprenuer 

Kimberly Parker, 39, is a licensed clinical therapist and certified clinical trauma professional in Virginia. But a few years ago, she found herself living in a shelter with some of the very survivors she had helped just months prior. After escaping a year-long relationship with an abusive boyfriend, she felt lucky to be alive, but like many survivors, blamed herself.

“I felt guilty being in the mental health field and falling for his trap. I’d never met someone so evil in my life,” she says. “But I didn’t see it [his abuse] until it was in my face.”

In a short amount of time, she learned that three women she’d gone to high school with had been killed by an abusive partner. She knew she could very well be next.

“I’m glad I got out of it when I did,” she says. Then, tragedy struck again. Parker was in a serious car accident. After she recovered, she began to doubt some of her cognitive abilities. That’s when she saw Verizon’s Skill Forward program pop up while she was perusing DomesticShelters.org. 

“I signed up for the Intro to AI. I couldn’t believe I passed it. I was shocked.” She says passing the course renewed her confidence in herself and her intelligence. She’s now working on the Generative AI course through Harvard which focuses on the type of AI that can create images, videos and music. She plans to use what she’s learned to help create new materials for her clients, maybe even a therapeutic illustrated book for kids. 

“I’ve always wanted to create and I’ve always thought about doing mindfulness videos. It’s so amazing.” She says she couldn’t believe at first that all of the courses were 100 percent free. But the other aspect that really propelled Parker to success was meeting all of the other participants who’ve signed up for the same program. Together, the students hold each other accountable, a major key to Skill Forward’s success.

“We’re actually creating a community of people, which is really unique,” explains Karianne Gwinn Johansen, Project Coordinator for Verizon Skill Forward at Alliance for HOPE International. Johansen, herself, is working her way through a nutrition course, an area of study that’s always interested her.

“The platform is super easy to use. Even for some of our older learners, they’re navigating it really well.”

Certificates of Completion Can Boost Your Resume

There are over 100 Professional Certificate programs, which contain two or more individual courses. Once earned, these certificates can be added to a resume to showcase newly acquired skills and expertise.  A Professional Certificate demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, professional development and the ability to master new concepts—qualities that employers highly value. An example of a low barrier-to-entry course, meaning one that learners would not need to have any technological knowledge to take but would help them advance their career, would be Communication Skills and Teamwork. In this self-paced career development course, you’ll practice communicating, forming teams and planning projects in a variety of contexts.

Johansen emphasizes that the Skill Forward program caters to all skill levels. Even if you consider yourself not technologically advanced (*raises hand*) and often say a few choice words every time you try to do something online, the Skill Forward program has you covered.

“Even if you’re, say, a front-line worker at a restaurant but you’ve always wanted to learn how to code, be a graphic designer, or get into social work, there are courses that can help you,” says Johansen. Universities like Harvard, Cornell, and companies like IBM, all offer courses through edX in partnership with Skill Forward. “How much better would your life be if you binge-watched edX instead of Netflix?” ” emphasizes Johansen. 

FAQs

Interested? Below are some more FAQs about Skill Forward.

Are these courses really free? What’s the catch?

No catch! The courses offered through Verizon Skill Forward are completely free. However, you need to go through the Skill Forward link to access the free courses. The edX website offers additional courses, but those are for a fee.

How long do I have to complete the course once I sign up?

The courses are self-paced, and you’ll have access to the content for a year from the time you activate your account. 

Is there any limit to how many courses I can sign up for?

No, sign up for as many as interest you (and that you have time to complete!). 

Will these courses earn me college credits?

No, the Verizon Skill Forward program offers skill-building courses, but they aren’t transferable for college credits. You can, however, get a certificate of completion that would help during job searching or for those who wish to advance in their career fields. 

Do you have to be a survivor of domestic violence to sign up?

No, anyone in the U.S. age 17 and up can sign up for a course. Verizon is partnering with Alliance for HOPE International to get the word out. 

How do I get started?

The first step is to click the Skill Forward link and complete the interest form. Once submitted you’ll receive the link to set up your account. We highly recommend taking the orientation course. You’ll be automatically enrolled when you sign up. 

Photo by William Fortunato